Eye Doctor Follow Up

Penny went to the eye specialist today. We were told that due to
her eyes looking normal under the lights they use, her sudden
blindness is likely due to SARD (Sudden Acquired Retinal
Degeneration). It's a disease that causes sudden loss
of vision. There is also a very small chance the
medication she was taking caused her to lose
her vision. She could also have a
neurological problem such as a
brain tumor. The doctor said
it is more likely she has
SARD than a tumor, but
we are going back on
Monday for a more
extensive eye
scan.

We will be able to tell whether or not this is
SARD after the scan. If the test comes back
normal, we will have to follow up with a
neurologist.

No one wants their animal to have any of the following, but SARD
is better than a tumor. With SARD, she will be blind permanently,
but she will live a normal life once she adapts to it. I am
hoping for the best, but also keeping it in the back of
my mind that I may be faced with the worst. I'll
let everyone know the results of her
test on Monday.

For a pug than just lost her vision, she is already starting to
adapt. She is learning how to see without sight, and she seems
less upset than she has been over the last few days. I have
begun to proof our condo. She tends to run into the same
objects, so I am padding everything up. This way, if
she hits her face or eyes, she won't hurt herself.
This is the first time I have ever cared for a
furry child that is blind, so I am learning
just as she is.

I have also had to come up with new command words.
This helps her know when something is
approaching, or she is about to
bump into it.

Penny is resting comfortably right now. She went
to Starbucks today. I thought it would only be
fair that she receive a treat for everything
she is going through. She couldn't see,
but she knew exactly where we were
as we approached the drive-thru
window and she got her cup of
whipped cream!